We need a psychologist to help Scots cope with criticism
AVERBAL blast from legendary coach Jim Telfer used to be enough to put the fear of death into even the most experienced player.
Whether it be an underperforming Scotland international or British and Irish Lion, a severe reprimand from the legendary coach would make them buck up their ideas — and fast.
One thing for sure is they would take it on the chin and move on.
Times have changed to the extent that Glasgow Warriors assistant head coach Jason O’Halloran claims many of the Scottish-qualified players at his club are too thin-skinned to take that kind of admonishment.
Part of the reason, he believes, is that sports psychology has not been used well enough in Scottish rugby to help them cope with criticism.
The Kiwi, who was Vern Cotter’s assistant for Scotland before moving to a similar role at Glasgow under Dave Rennie, revealed the Scotstoun club have been trying to find a psychologist to help the players in that regard. Improving their mental preparation for away games would be the first priority given the team’s poor form on the road at times this season.
‘I must admit, when I came here that was a real eye opener for me, how far behind New Zealand we are (in terms of sports psychology) and how that affects players as individuals, particularly how they accept feedback,’ said O’Halloran.
‘Sometimes, Scottish boys see any sort of constructive feedback as you having a go at them. That is a big issue and dictates the way you coach and the way you give feedback or constructive criticism. That continues to be a balance for us as Kiwi coaches in Scotland.
‘(With) Kiwi boys, you just give it to them and they either take it on board and do the things you asked them to do to improve, or there are four others waiting and the sheer competition means they will lose out. They are probably a little more motivated at times.
‘At Glasgow, we are trying to source a provider (sports psychologist) and we are looking at two or three different people, so hopefully we will get something sorted.
‘Certainly from my point of view, as a Kiwi coming here two years ago, that is the biggest area of growth in Scottish rugby, the sports psychology thing.
‘I don’t think that it is done particularly well at all. It is often just seen as a bit of voodoo and witch-doctor stuff, which is where New Zealand was at 20 years ago. It is a crucial part of the game and we (New Zealand) do it a lot better.
‘In the long-term, I think getting some quality sports psychologists around the whole of Scottish rugby would probably help but it is not something you can bring in at this stage in the season.’
Glasgow have secured a home Guinness Pro14 semi-final against either Scarlets or Toyota Cheetahs next month, but O’Halloran remains concerned at how even a team who are unbeaten at Scotstoun in the league this season can go to pieces away from home.
They lost 26-8 to Scarlets in Wales a fortnight ago and drew 15-15 away to Dragons, who are one of the weakest teams in the entire league.
They were then hammered on their travels in their European Champions Cup Pool, losing 55-19 to Leinster, 36-26 to Montpellier and 24-15 to Exeter Chiefs.
O’Halloran insists that Glasgow have good enough players to win anywhere but believes that doing better away from home can often come down to individual preparation.
‘That is probably the key thing when you go away from home,’ added the 46-year-old former All Black.
‘When we play at Scotstoun, the players get to lie in their own bed the night before the game and there is a pretty consistent routine around how we prepare for games.
‘We get things ready all together in the morning, have a pre-match meal, then come in here an hourand-a-half before the game. So it’s very much boom, boom, boom.
‘There’s often a lot of variables with things you can’t control in away games.
‘We often have to get out of our hotel rooms earlier than we would like to, those sort of things, maybe the bus turns up a bit late. They are all things you need to try to look at. They do have an effect.
‘That away loss to Scarlets was a good kick in the a*** and was probably the best thing for us. It goes to show that, even though we can have a really good side, it doesn’t mean we can just sleep walk into games and expect teams to roll over for us.
‘When you’re talking about the likes of Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, teams which are full of internationals, you have to be at your very best to win.
‘It is still a challenge for us on the road to make sure that, mentally, we are right to give ourselves the best chance to perform well.
‘We’re looking at ways to make sure we’re more consistent.’